predicament / jam
die Patsche, die Patschen
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predicament / jam
An unpleasant or difficult situation that is hard to get out of. The word is used colloquially.
Ohne Geld und ohne Unterkunft war er in einer ziemlichen Patsche.
Without any money or accommodation, he was in quite a predicament.
to get someone into a jam
To put someone in a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Mit seiner unüberlegten Aussage hat er mich ganz schön in die Patsche gebracht.
His thoughtless remark got me into quite a jam.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Patschen |
| genitive | der Patsche |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Patsche | die Patschen |
| accusative | die Patsche | die Patschen |
| dative | der Patsche | den Patschen |
| genitive | der Patsche | der Patschen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The verbs 'sitzen' (to be), 'stecken' (to be stuck), 'geraten' (to get into), and 'helfen' (to help) are often used with 'Patsche' (predicament / jam): You can 'in der Patsche sitzen' (be in a predicament), 'in der Patsche stecken' (be stuck in a jam), 'in die Patsche geraten' (get into a predicament), or 'jemandem aus der Patsche helfen' (help someone out of a jam).
Zum Glück hat mir ein Freund aus der Patsche geholfen.
Luckily, a friend helped me out of a jam.
In 'jemanden in die Patsche bringen' (to get someone into a jam), the person affected is in the accusative case. 'In die Patsche' refers to the difficult situation that person gets into.
Bitte bring mich nicht in die Patsche, indem du meinem Chef davon erzählst.
Please don't get me into a jam by telling my boss about it.
